Fresh, spring air whirled through Everwood. The snow was melting, and the
air was softer and warmer. Joe sat on her porch enjoying the nice breeze.
She slowly flipped through an old photo book that her best friend Sadie had
given her before she left New York. It was filled with pictures of Joe, her
friends, and different places in New York. She suddenly stopped on a page
towards the back of the book and peered at a picture of her with Ephram.
The picture had been taken in Central Park, and Joe remembered it was the
weekend before Julia's accident. Her and Ephram were standing by a park
bench kissing under a bright red maple tree. Joe's eyes moved to the
picture of her and Sadie standing on her Dad's fishing boat off the coast
of Manhattan. Joe looked up; feeling that someone was watching her. Sure
enough, Ditey was standing in front of her, holding a pile of mail in her
hand.
"Something came for you,"Ditey announced, sitting down next to Joe,"It's from Jay."
"Oh,"Joe replied, abruptly shutting the book.
"You've been looking through that thing a lot lately,"Ditey stated, handing Joe the envelope addressed to her.
"I guess I'm sort of homesick. With the spring fling coming up, I've been thinking about New York and all my old friends a lot," Joe answered, opening the letter. Joe slowly read the letter.
Dear Joey,
Hey! I heard you're in CO with Ephram now. I bet the powder there is dope; hopefully I can get out there soon and see the place you two call home. Even if Ephram says it's rank. Anyways, as you know, Sadie's 16th b-day is coming up, and as her devoted boyfriend (haha, can you believe it?) I'm throwing her a surprise party here in NYC. And since it would totally bomb if you and Eph weren't there, I've sent a couple of plane tix for you guys to come for a week or so for Sadie's birthday. But remember it's a surprise, so don't go telling her. I know how you tell her everything, but please keep it a secret. Well call me on my cell (you know the number) to RSVP. Oh and tell Ephram. Love ya, girl.
-Jay
Joe opened the envelope wider and sure enough, there were two plane tickets to New York.
"What does it say?" Ditey asked eagerly.
"It says that Sadie is having a birthday party in New York next week and Ephram and I are invited to come,"Joe announced, not taking her eyes off the tickets.
"Oh, good luck getting the money for a plane ticket,"Ditey stood up and began to walk into the house.
"That's the best part, Jay sent us tickets,"Joe replied, beaming. She ran past Ditey and into the house.
"Wait, you get to go for free? That's so not fair!"Ditey whined, following Joe to there room. Joe picked up the phone and began to dial Ephram's number.
"Who are you calling?" Ditey asked, taking the envelope to see for herself.
"Ephram. Now leave me alone so I can talk." Joe ordered, scooting Ditey out of the room.
"Oh so you can talk to your boyfriend?" Ditey mocked.
"Shut up! Like you know anything"Joe grinned, rolling her eyes, as she slammed the door in front of Ditey.
"So where are we going?" Ephram asked confused, as Joe pulled him by the arm down Main Street.
"Well first we're going to Mama Joy's because I have to make sure Aunt Nina will let me go. Then we're going to your dad's office to ask him. Lastly, since I know they'll let us go, we're going to go buy Sadie a present," Joe explained opening the door to Mama Joy's. Nina was taking an order from a man sitting at the corner. As the bell on the door rang, both Nina and the man, who turned out to be Andy, looked up.
"Hey guys,"Nina greeted.
"Good afternoon,"Andy greeted after Nina; Joe didn't give Ephram any time whatsoever to even say anything before she started talking about there plans to go to New York over spring break. After a few minutes of explaining, Joe took a breath.
"So, can we go?"Joe asked, her blue eyes glittering with joy.
"I don't see why not,"Andy answered,"What do you think Nina?"
"Sure, as long as you send plenty of postcards and bring me back something,"Nina answered. Joe let out a squeal of joy and ran and hugged both of them.
"Well we gotta go and buy Sadie a present,"Joe said, waving goodbye, and pulled Ephram back out the door. Both Nina and Andy laughed as they watched Joe pulling Ephram along.
"Quite a couple, aren't they?"Nina announced,"Too bad they aren't together yet."
"They were pretty serious before Julia died, after that Joe left for Nevada, and I guess they just stopped talking after that,"Andy replied, taking a sip of his coffee.
"That's too bad,"Nina responded,"I give it two weeks before we find them making out somewhere." Both of them laughed again, remembering what it was like to be young and in love.
Joe tightly gripped the bag that held Sadie's present. She was about to walk out the shop door when a beautiful black satin dress caught her eye. Ephram noticed her looking at it and smiled to himself.
"You like it?" Ephram asked.
"Hmm? I mean, yeah, it's pretty,"Joe replied.
"Well you need a dress to wear to the spring fling, don't you?"Ephram slyly replied.
"I don't think I'm going. I don't have a date, and I'm just not the type who goes stag,"Joe responded, still looking at the dress.
"Want to go with me?"Ephram asked. Joe turned around her, eyes wide.
"Course I would,"She answered, her lips curling into a smile. She grabbed the dress off the rack and took it to the check out counter.
"So, are you going to the spring fling?"Amy asked Ephram as they walked home from school.
"Yup, are you?"Ephram replied, a grin forming on his face.
"Yeah...with Colin, are you going alone or..?"Amy asked confused.
"I'm taking Joe,"Ephram announced happily, breathing in the warm spring air.
"Why?!?"Amy asked, surprised.
"Because I like her...a lot,"Ephram answered.
"I thought you were just really good friends with her,"Amy said, looking at the ground.
"I was, but I mean, we never really broke up. We were still in love when she left, and I thought I was over her, but I'm really not. I still love her,"Ephram replied.
"I have to go. See you tomorrow,"Amy rushed ahead, a tear streaming down her face.
Joe, Kayla, and Paige stood in Joe's room, putting their makeup on and getting ready for the dance. Paige was wearing a baby blue halter dress with matching shoes. Kayla had on a spaghetti string, knee length dress, and Joe was wearing her new black, sleeveless, floor length dress, with black strappy heels.
"Have you seen Amy lately? She is such a wreck!"Paige said, as she put on some blue eye shadow.
"I know. I heard Colin broke up with her, but I'm not sure, I never really talk to her anymore," Kayla replied, as she finished applying her nail polish.
"She is kind of odd. I'm her science partner, and she is always giving me weird looks,"Joe responded, putting on some black eye liner.
"That's because she is jealous of you,"Paige answered.
"Why would she be jealous of me?"Joe asked, putting on some pale pink lipstick on.
"Because you have the guy she wants,"Kayla replied, grabbing some mascara.
"You mean she has a thing for Ephram?"Joe asked, stunned.
"How can you not tell? Ever since he moved here, he is all she thinks about,"Kayla explained.
"Oh,"Joe whispered, finishing up putting her makeup on.
"Well, we have to get going,"Paige announced,"See ya at the dance!" Joe hugged both of them goodbye, and grabbed her shawl. She went out and stood on the porch, peering at the stars, shining brightly against the backdrop of the black night sky. Her eyes darted to Ephram's house as she heard the door shut.
"It's great out here, isn't it?" Ephram asked, walking over to her.
"Yeah, it's great,"Joe replied, taking a deep breath,"You ready to go?"
"Yup,"Ephram answered holding out his hand. Joe gladly took it, as they walked off to the school.
It was almost midnight, and Joe and Ephram were one of the only couples left on the floor. Joe's head was nestled in Ephram's shoulder and his arms were rapped tightly around her waist. Amy sat watching from a distance, an angry look plastered to her face. Colin had dumped her the day before and she had to go stag to the spring fling. All night she had watched them dance, and have fun. She couldn't stand it anymore, and she felt like screaming. As the song ended, Joe walked over to the refreshment table to get something to drink. A grin formed on Amy's face, as she got up and approached Joe.
"That's a great dress Joe," Amy complimented, Joe turned around gave her a confused look.
"Are you feeling alright?" Joe asked, taking a sip of her punch.
"I'm fine. Why? Can't I compliment you?" Amy asked, forcing a smile.
"Well...yeah, it's just a little weird, since you hate me," Joe explained.
"It's just I feel bad for you and all.... I heard that your dead left when you were little because he couldn't stand being around such an annoying brat," Amy replied, still trying to sound sincere. Joe's mouth dropped open, and her eyes turned toward the floor.
"It's true isn't it Joe, your dad doesn't love you, I mean, who could?" Amy continued, before she felt eyes on her back. She turned to see Ephram standing there, listening to the things she had said. Ephram glared at her, and walked over to Joe. He hugged her and walked with her towards the door. He then turned to Amy.
"Amy, it amazes me that I ever liked someone as frigid, and cold-hearted as you," Ephram said to her," and you know what-" Suddenly Joe cut him off.
"Ephram, stop," Joe spoke up, her blue eyes locked with Amy's,"we're not going to stoop to her level." And with that they left together. Amy stood wide-eyed. What was she doing? She hadn't been raised that way. Amy was disgusted in herself, Joe never did anything to her, and she had just hit her where it hurt most.
"Something came for you,"Ditey announced, sitting down next to Joe,"It's from Jay."
"Oh,"Joe replied, abruptly shutting the book.
"You've been looking through that thing a lot lately,"Ditey stated, handing Joe the envelope addressed to her.
"I guess I'm sort of homesick. With the spring fling coming up, I've been thinking about New York and all my old friends a lot," Joe answered, opening the letter. Joe slowly read the letter.
Dear Joey,
Hey! I heard you're in CO with Ephram now. I bet the powder there is dope; hopefully I can get out there soon and see the place you two call home. Even if Ephram says it's rank. Anyways, as you know, Sadie's 16th b-day is coming up, and as her devoted boyfriend (haha, can you believe it?) I'm throwing her a surprise party here in NYC. And since it would totally bomb if you and Eph weren't there, I've sent a couple of plane tix for you guys to come for a week or so for Sadie's birthday. But remember it's a surprise, so don't go telling her. I know how you tell her everything, but please keep it a secret. Well call me on my cell (you know the number) to RSVP. Oh and tell Ephram. Love ya, girl.
-Jay
Joe opened the envelope wider and sure enough, there were two plane tickets to New York.
"What does it say?" Ditey asked eagerly.
"It says that Sadie is having a birthday party in New York next week and Ephram and I are invited to come,"Joe announced, not taking her eyes off the tickets.
"Oh, good luck getting the money for a plane ticket,"Ditey stood up and began to walk into the house.
"That's the best part, Jay sent us tickets,"Joe replied, beaming. She ran past Ditey and into the house.
"Wait, you get to go for free? That's so not fair!"Ditey whined, following Joe to there room. Joe picked up the phone and began to dial Ephram's number.
"Who are you calling?" Ditey asked, taking the envelope to see for herself.
"Ephram. Now leave me alone so I can talk." Joe ordered, scooting Ditey out of the room.
"Oh so you can talk to your boyfriend?" Ditey mocked.
"Shut up! Like you know anything"Joe grinned, rolling her eyes, as she slammed the door in front of Ditey.
"So where are we going?" Ephram asked confused, as Joe pulled him by the arm down Main Street.
"Well first we're going to Mama Joy's because I have to make sure Aunt Nina will let me go. Then we're going to your dad's office to ask him. Lastly, since I know they'll let us go, we're going to go buy Sadie a present," Joe explained opening the door to Mama Joy's. Nina was taking an order from a man sitting at the corner. As the bell on the door rang, both Nina and the man, who turned out to be Andy, looked up.
"Hey guys,"Nina greeted.
"Good afternoon,"Andy greeted after Nina; Joe didn't give Ephram any time whatsoever to even say anything before she started talking about there plans to go to New York over spring break. After a few minutes of explaining, Joe took a breath.
"So, can we go?"Joe asked, her blue eyes glittering with joy.
"I don't see why not,"Andy answered,"What do you think Nina?"
"Sure, as long as you send plenty of postcards and bring me back something,"Nina answered. Joe let out a squeal of joy and ran and hugged both of them.
"Well we gotta go and buy Sadie a present,"Joe said, waving goodbye, and pulled Ephram back out the door. Both Nina and Andy laughed as they watched Joe pulling Ephram along.
"Quite a couple, aren't they?"Nina announced,"Too bad they aren't together yet."
"They were pretty serious before Julia died, after that Joe left for Nevada, and I guess they just stopped talking after that,"Andy replied, taking a sip of his coffee.
"That's too bad,"Nina responded,"I give it two weeks before we find them making out somewhere." Both of them laughed again, remembering what it was like to be young and in love.
Joe tightly gripped the bag that held Sadie's present. She was about to walk out the shop door when a beautiful black satin dress caught her eye. Ephram noticed her looking at it and smiled to himself.
"You like it?" Ephram asked.
"Hmm? I mean, yeah, it's pretty,"Joe replied.
"Well you need a dress to wear to the spring fling, don't you?"Ephram slyly replied.
"I don't think I'm going. I don't have a date, and I'm just not the type who goes stag,"Joe responded, still looking at the dress.
"Want to go with me?"Ephram asked. Joe turned around her, eyes wide.
"Course I would,"She answered, her lips curling into a smile. She grabbed the dress off the rack and took it to the check out counter.
"So, are you going to the spring fling?"Amy asked Ephram as they walked home from school.
"Yup, are you?"Ephram replied, a grin forming on his face.
"Yeah...with Colin, are you going alone or..?"Amy asked confused.
"I'm taking Joe,"Ephram announced happily, breathing in the warm spring air.
"Why?!?"Amy asked, surprised.
"Because I like her...a lot,"Ephram answered.
"I thought you were just really good friends with her,"Amy said, looking at the ground.
"I was, but I mean, we never really broke up. We were still in love when she left, and I thought I was over her, but I'm really not. I still love her,"Ephram replied.
"I have to go. See you tomorrow,"Amy rushed ahead, a tear streaming down her face.
Joe, Kayla, and Paige stood in Joe's room, putting their makeup on and getting ready for the dance. Paige was wearing a baby blue halter dress with matching shoes. Kayla had on a spaghetti string, knee length dress, and Joe was wearing her new black, sleeveless, floor length dress, with black strappy heels.
"Have you seen Amy lately? She is such a wreck!"Paige said, as she put on some blue eye shadow.
"I know. I heard Colin broke up with her, but I'm not sure, I never really talk to her anymore," Kayla replied, as she finished applying her nail polish.
"She is kind of odd. I'm her science partner, and she is always giving me weird looks,"Joe responded, putting on some black eye liner.
"That's because she is jealous of you,"Paige answered.
"Why would she be jealous of me?"Joe asked, putting on some pale pink lipstick on.
"Because you have the guy she wants,"Kayla replied, grabbing some mascara.
"You mean she has a thing for Ephram?"Joe asked, stunned.
"How can you not tell? Ever since he moved here, he is all she thinks about,"Kayla explained.
"Oh,"Joe whispered, finishing up putting her makeup on.
"Well, we have to get going,"Paige announced,"See ya at the dance!" Joe hugged both of them goodbye, and grabbed her shawl. She went out and stood on the porch, peering at the stars, shining brightly against the backdrop of the black night sky. Her eyes darted to Ephram's house as she heard the door shut.
"It's great out here, isn't it?" Ephram asked, walking over to her.
"Yeah, it's great,"Joe replied, taking a deep breath,"You ready to go?"
"Yup,"Ephram answered holding out his hand. Joe gladly took it, as they walked off to the school.
It was almost midnight, and Joe and Ephram were one of the only couples left on the floor. Joe's head was nestled in Ephram's shoulder and his arms were rapped tightly around her waist. Amy sat watching from a distance, an angry look plastered to her face. Colin had dumped her the day before and she had to go stag to the spring fling. All night she had watched them dance, and have fun. She couldn't stand it anymore, and she felt like screaming. As the song ended, Joe walked over to the refreshment table to get something to drink. A grin formed on Amy's face, as she got up and approached Joe.
"That's a great dress Joe," Amy complimented, Joe turned around gave her a confused look.
"Are you feeling alright?" Joe asked, taking a sip of her punch.
"I'm fine. Why? Can't I compliment you?" Amy asked, forcing a smile.
"Well...yeah, it's just a little weird, since you hate me," Joe explained.
"It's just I feel bad for you and all.... I heard that your dead left when you were little because he couldn't stand being around such an annoying brat," Amy replied, still trying to sound sincere. Joe's mouth dropped open, and her eyes turned toward the floor.
"It's true isn't it Joe, your dad doesn't love you, I mean, who could?" Amy continued, before she felt eyes on her back. She turned to see Ephram standing there, listening to the things she had said. Ephram glared at her, and walked over to Joe. He hugged her and walked with her towards the door. He then turned to Amy.
"Amy, it amazes me that I ever liked someone as frigid, and cold-hearted as you," Ephram said to her," and you know what-" Suddenly Joe cut him off.
"Ephram, stop," Joe spoke up, her blue eyes locked with Amy's,"we're not going to stoop to her level." And with that they left together. Amy stood wide-eyed. What was she doing? She hadn't been raised that way. Amy was disgusted in herself, Joe never did anything to her, and she had just hit her where it hurt most.